John Pritchard
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (54) PEBBLES IN WATER
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (54) PEBBLES IN WATER
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(54) PEBBLES IN WATER Water has an elemental quality which readily attracts and engages us. It’s often best when in movement – flowing, bubbling, raging – but it can also be a metaphor for stillness, restoration and enveloping…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (52) HAZELNUTS
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (52) HAZELNUTS
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(52) HAZELNUTS Natural objects have an immediate and obvious appeal. The great doorway they can open for prayer is that of wonder. Once wonder is aroused it can easily lead into intercession. Hazelnuts are reasonably easy to obtain and they link well with Julian of Norwich’s famo
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (50) INCENSE
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (50) INCENSE
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(50) INCENSE Why should this splendid aid to prayer only be used by one tradition in the Church? The idea of prayer rising like incense and leaving an aroma of sanctity is deeply rooted in Jewish practice in the Old Testament and is an image used by St Paul of the lives of Christ
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (48) PRAYING THE WEEK'S NEWS
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (48) PRAYING THE WEEK'S NEWS
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(48) PRAYING THE WEEK’S NEWS These intercessions are for two voices, alternating between extracts from the week’s newspapers and prayerful responses to those items of news. The attempt is to hold together the real world in which people live and work, and the infinite resources of
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (47) Sparklers
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (47) Sparklers
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(47)SPARKLERS There’s something captivating about sparklers, as captivating as we hope prayer might be. Using sparklers can add zest and life to a time of prayer, but adequate precautions should be taken! It’s possible to buy ‘indoor’ sparklers, although they might seem a bit tam
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (46) TO THE CROSS
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (46) TO THE CROSS
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(46)TO THE CROSS One understanding of intercessory prayer is that it’s a way of bringing people to the cross, where Christ is sure to be found. And where Christ is found, things happen. The cross can be used in many ways as the focus of our prayers, particularly in Holy Week…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (45) BITTER SWEET
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (45) BITTER SWEET
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(45)BITTER AND SWEET Like the prayer with sand and water, this form of prayer invites us to identify with one or other (or both) of the bitter or sweet experiences life brings us. The use of the sense of taste is a vivid reinforcement of the experience and adds vibrancy to our pr
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (44) SAND AND WATER
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (44) SAND AND WATER
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(44)SAND AND WATER The basic elements of earth, wind, fire and water always seem to strike a chord when used in prayer. The following intercession uses two elements which echo common experiences on our spiritual journey. The size of the congregation or group will affect how the p
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (43) PRAYER BASKET
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (43) PRAYER BASKET
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(42)PRAYER TREE The visual impact of a small, bare ‘tree’ can be considerable. Like a Christmas tree, it can be the bearer of our prayers, and the act of writing and hanging a prayer on the tree can be a satisfying way of participating in prayer for all ages…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (42) PRAYER TREE
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (42) PRAYER TREE
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(42)PRAYER TREE The visual impact of a small, bare ‘tree’ can be considerable. Like a Christmas tree, it can be the bearer of our prayers, and the act of writing and hanging a prayer on the tree can be a satisfying way of participating in prayer for all ages…
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (41) PALMS UP, PALMS DOWN
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (41) PALMS UP, PALMS DOWN
by SPCK - John Pritchard
(41)PALMS UP, PALMS DOWN This is a way of getting started with a congregation or a group in prayer. It helps people to become aware of themselves and their concerns, and of God and his possibilities. It depends, as so often, on the confidence of the leader in not taking it too qu
The Second Intercessions Handbook - (40) ALL SAINTS (AT ANY TIME)